Glaucoma Laser Treatment

Glaucoma Laser Treatment

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which elevated eye pressure within the eye damages the optic nerve. Damage to the optic nerve can lead to blindness. Through early detection, diagnosis and treatment, you and Dr. Galanis can help to preserve your vision.

Dr. Galanis is a fellowship trained glaucoma specialist in St. Louis, MO. At Galanis Cataract and Laser Eye Center, he performs glaucoma laser treatment, when indicated, to help control elevated eye pressures in patients with glaucoma.Glaucoma laser treatment, also known as Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, can be used along with early detection, diagnosis and treatment to help prevent blindness.

Routine Eye Exams

We provide comprehensive eye care to patients of all ages at our St Louis eye surgery center. Our services include not only laser vision correction and laser cataract surgery but also treatments for a range of conditions such as glaucoma, the diabetic eye, dry eye and macular degeneration.

Regular eye exams are an invaluable tool in maintaining your eyes’ health by detecting and preventing disease. Some diseases develop slowly without causing pain or vision loss. Early detection of any problems can reduce the risk of further harm, permanent vision loss, and allow for a choice of treatment options.

Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eye can make a person’s eyes dry, red, or irritated. In addition to being uncomfortable, it can damage the eye’s tissues and impair vision.

People usually begin experiencing dry eye symptoms as they age, but the condition can also result from eyelid or blinking problems, certain medications, environment, injury, and various health problems. The eyes may become dry and irritated because the lacrimal glands don’t produce enough tears, or because the tears themselves have a chemical imbalance.

Diabetic Eye Examinations

Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk for developing eye conditions because a high blood sugar level can damage blood vessels in the eye. Over 40 percent of patients diagnosed with diabetes develop some form of eye disease as a result. These conditions can cause blood or fluid to leak from the retina or new blood vessels to grow on the surface of the retina which can lead to significant damages to your vision and overall quality of life.

It is important for patients with diabetes to have dilated eye exams once a year at our St Louis eye surgery center to detect any signs of diabetic eye disease as soon as possible. You can also minimize your risk of developing diabetic eye disease by keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure under control, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

Macular Degeneration

The macula is a part of the retina in the back of the eye that ensures that our central vision is clear and sharp. Macular degeneration causes a progressive loss of vision. It is the number-one cause of blindness in the U.S.

There are two kinds of macular degeneration: “wet” and “dry.” The “wet” form can be treated in its early stages. Regular eye exams at our St Louis Eye Surgery Center are highly recommended to detect macular degeneration early and prevent permanent vision loss.

Symptoms often associated with macular degeneration include:

Blurred central vision

Distorted vision

A dark or empty area appearing in the center of vision

Contact Lenses

Over 30 million Americans wear contact lenses, according to the American Optometric Association. There are many different kinds of “contacts,” including rigid and flexible, extended wear, disposable and planned replacement lenses, and some can be made as bifocals or in different colors. After a thorough eye exam and consultation with an experienced physician, patients who qualify for contact lenses can discuss which type is right for them. All contact lenses require special care and cleaning and regular follow-up visits at our St Louis Eye Surgery Center to ensure that the eyes remain healthy.